‘It’s A National Pride’, Reps Hail Dangote Refinery As Nigeria Becomes Net Petrol Exporter

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has hailed the emergence of Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petrol as a landmark achievement, describing it as a major boost to the country’s energy sector and a validation of ongoing reforms.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP on Sunday, chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the development marked a turning point in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.

Nigeria reached the milestone in March 2026 when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals exported more refined petrol than the country imported, effectively making Africa’s largest crude oil producer a net exporter of fuel for the first time.

According to available data by market intelligence firm Kpler, the Lagos-based refinery shipped about 44,000 barrels per day (bpd) of petrol during the month, while national imports dropped to 41,000 bpd, the lowest level on record, creating a surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd.

Reacting, the legislative committee described the development as a “national pride milestone,” noting that it signals a gradual end to decades of reliance on imported refined products despite Nigeria’s vast crude oil reserves.

“This represents a watershed moment for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry and a strong signal that domestic refining capacity is beginning to stabilise the country’s energy supply chain,” the statement read.

The lawmakers said the achievement reflects the impact of private sector investment in addressing longstanding inefficiencies within the petroleum value chain.

They further commended the refinery’s performance, noting that the transition from heavy import dependence to net export status, even if marginal, demonstrates the transformative potential of local refining.

The facility, which has a capacity of 650,000 bpd, recorded a crude supply of approximately 565,000 bpd in March — one of its highest throughput levels since operations began in late 2023.

According to the statement, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, had attributed the refinery’s progress to policy and economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, which he said created an enabling environment for large-scale domestic refining and restored investor confidence.

The committee noted that if sustained, the development could reduce pressure on foreign exchange demand, improve fuel availability, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.

It also called on regulatory agencies to ensure transparency, operational efficiency, and the protection of critical petroleum infrastructure to consolidate the gains.

The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policies and legislation that promote domestic refining, industrial growth, and Nigeria’s positioning as a leading energy hub in Africa.